By Kevin Kleps, Fantasy Correspondent
First Base
Miguel Cabrera, 25, Tigers: He's no longer a third baseman, which is good for Detroit and not so good for fantasy owners. Even at first, his consistency stands out. Since 2004, he's had 33 or more homers in every year but one (he had 26 in 2006, when he batted .339 and drove in 114 runs), at least 112 RBI each season, and his .292 average in 2008 is his worst in that span.
The runner-up: Prince Fielder, 24, Brewers. Cecil's son has seen his homer total drop from 50 last season to 30 this year, and his RBI have slipped from 119 to 87. I'd be a little worried about his long-term success, but he should be one of the game's best at his position next season.
Others of note: The Dodgers' James Loney, 24, isn’t a big power threat (12 homers), but he'll hit in the .300 range and drive in 80 to 100 runs. He batted .331 in 2007, his first full big-league season. … If you don't mind keeping 26-year-olds, the Padres' Adrian Gonzalez and the Diamondbacks' Conor Jackson are both better future prospects than Fielder and Loney.
Second Base
Dustin Pedroia, 25, Red Sox: If you saw this monster 2007 season - .327, 17 homers, 79 RBI, 17 steals, 50 doubles and 114 runs – coming, you look pretty smart waiting until the later rounds to draft a second baseman. Pedroia, who batted .317 as a rookie in 2007, has outscored Chase Utley in most points-based leagues, and don't be surprised if some owners are tempted to select him instead of the Phillies standout next season.
The runner-up: Howie Kendrick, 25, Angels. He was a minor-league hitting machine who batted .308 in an injury-marred 2008 season. He's a career .307 hitter who doesn't have a lot of pop, but he does have a bright future.
Others of note: You probably would only keep the Mariners' Jose Lopez, 24, the Dodgers' Blake DeWitt, 23, and the Twins' Alexi Casilla, 24, in very deep leagues, but Lopez is definitely a low-end fantasy starter. He’s also the best of a pretty weak 25-and-under bunch that included Milwaukee's Rickie Weeks until he turned 26 on Sept. 13. … There are a trio of talented 26-year-olds – Texas' Ian Kinsler, the Yankees' Robinson Cano and the White Sox's Alexei Ramirez. Kinsler is the best of the three.
Shortstop
Hanley Ramirez, 24, Marlins: By far the toughest call at any position, since the Mets' Jose Reyes, 25, and Ramirez likely will be drafted in the top three of many leagues next season. Ramirez gets the nod because of his power – a combined 59 home runs the last two seasons. His stolen bases have dropped from 50 in 2007 to 33 this season, a trend that might continue as he blossoms as a power hitter.
The runner-up: Reyes. He does it all – 101 runs, 50 steals, .299 average – except generate big power numbers, but that can be overlooked, especially in points-based leagues. Reyes stole 78 bases in 2007 and had 19 homers, 81 RBI and 64 steals in 2006. In leagues that start from scratch every year, especially points-based ones, he’s the likely No. 2 overall pick in 2009, one behind Alex Rodriguez. Because of his position, you could make a case for him going No. 1.
Others of note: The Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki, 23, is a future star who had his 2008 season ruined by injury, but I wouldn't hesitate to keep him. … I'd rank the Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew, 25, fourth and the Braves' Yunel Escobar, 25, fifth.
Third Base
David Wright, 25, Mets: He turns 26 prior to next season, but he still qualifies for our purposes. His average has fallen from .325 in 2007 to .299, and his stolen bases have plummeted from 34 to 15, but it’s never a bad thing to have a third baseman who hits .300 with 28-plus homers, 109-plus RBI, steals an occasional base and scores more than 100 runs.
The runner-up: Evan Longoria, 22, Rays. Oh, those crafty Rays. This future stud turns 23 on Oct. 5, and he’s got a rookie season under his belt that features 22 homers and 74 RBI in only 392 at-bats.
Others of note: The Rangers' Chris Davis, 22, the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, 23, and the Royals' Alex Gordon, 24, are next in line. Davis has 15 homers, 47 RBI and 44 runs in just 258 at-bats. Factor in his 297 minor-league at-bats in 2008, and he has 38 home runs and 120 RBI in 555 at-bats this year.
